Mouse having a button-less panning and scrolling switch
First Claim
1. A method of switching between modes during operation of a computer mouse that is manipulated by the hand of a user, the method comprising:
- sensing whether the mouse is being held by a user in a first hand position that indicates a first mode of operation of the mouse, or whether the mouse is being held by a user in a second hand position that indicates a second mode of operation of the mouse, wherein the modes cannot be implemented simultaneously; and
producing position signals that relate mouse movements relative to the surface upon which it is supported to first or second operations on a display screen, wherein the position signals control the first operations on the display screen when the mouse is in the first mode of operation and wherein the position signals control the second operations on the display screen when the mouse is in the second mode of operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of switching between operational modes of a computer mouse during operation of the computer mouse is disclosed. In the described embodiments, the mouse includes a housing that is gripped by a user during manipulation of the mouse. The method generally comprises first sensing in which hand position the mouse is being held, each hand position indicating a corresponding mode of operation of the mouse. In another aspect, the method entails producing position signals that relate mouse movements relative to the surface upon which it is supported to operations on a display screen according to the corresponding mode of operation of the mouse.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of switching between modes during operation of a computer mouse that is manipulated by the hand of a user, the method comprising:
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sensing whether the mouse is being held by a user in a first hand position that indicates a first mode of operation of the mouse, or whether the mouse is being held by a user in a second hand position that indicates a second mode of operation of the mouse, wherein the modes cannot be implemented simultaneously; and
producing position signals that relate mouse movements relative to the surface upon which it is supported to first or second operations on a display screen, wherein the position signals control the first operations on the display screen when the mouse is in the first mode of operation and wherein the position signals control the second operations on the display screen when the mouse is in the second mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification